Strapping device with an anti-reversing design used when preparing to loose the strap

ABSTRACT

A strapping device includes a main frame and a lever pivotally mounted to each other by an axle. The main frame has a first stop plate slidably mounted to selectively engage to ratchet that is mounted on the axle and the lever has a second stop plate mounted to drive the ratchet. A groove is defined in the main frame and has one side formed with a limiting side. The strain of the strap can reverse the axle to release the strap when the second stop plate is received in the groove. A stopper radially extends from the main frame and has a protrusion extending therefrom. The protrusion of the stopper prevents the lever from being backward moved to the original position due to the strain of the tightened strap.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a strapping device, and more particularly to a strapping device with an anti-reversing design used when preparing to loose the strap.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] A conventional strapping device in accordance with the prior art shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, comprises an axle (81) extending through a main frame (82) and a lever (83) to pivotally mount the main frame (82) and the lever (83) to each other. The axle (81) includes two opposite ends each having a ratchet (84) engaged to the axle (81) and a slot (811) diametrically defined in the axle (81) to allow a strap (9) penetrating the axle (81) and being reeled on the axle (81). A first stop plate (821) partially slidably mounted in the main frame (82) and selectively engaged to the ratchets (84) due to a restitution force of a spring (822) that is compressively mounted between the first stop plate (821) and the main frame (82). A second stop plate (831) is partially slidably mounted in the lever (83) and selectively engaged to the ratchets (84) due to a restitution force of a second spring (832) that is compressively mounted between the lever (83) and the second stop plate (831). Consequently, the axle (81) is driven to reel the strap (9) by the lever (83) when the lever (83) is backward twisted relative to the main frame (82). The main frame (82) has a groove (823) defined to selectively receive the second stop plate (831) and the second stop plate (831) is separated relative to the ratchets (84) when the second stop plate (831) is partially received in the groove (823). Furthermore, the lever (83) has a raised portion (833) extending therefrom. The raised portion (833) backward pushes the first stop plate (821) to make the first stop plate (821) escape from the ratchets (84) when the second stop plate (831) is received in the groove (823). Then the axle (81) is in a free condition and the strain of the strap (9) is released.

[0005] The foregoing strapping device is usually provided to fasten the strap (9) for fixing goods on a truck. To operate the conventional strapping device, the strap (9) has one end fixed on the truck and the other extending through the slot (811) in the axle (81) after coiling the goods and the main frame (82) is connected to a hook (not shown) that is detachably hooked on the truck. The strap (9) is tightly reeled by the axle (81) to fasten the goods when the lever (83) is twisted back and forth to drive the axle (81). When releasing the strap (9), the lever (83) is twisted to make the second stop plate (831) partially received in the groove (823) and separated relative to the ratchets (84). At the same time, the raised portion (833) of the lever (83) backward pushes the first stop plate (821) to make the first stop plate (821) separated relative to the ratchets (84). Consequently, the axle (81) is in a free condition and the strain of the strap (9) is released for operator to remove the goods from the truck.

[0006] However, the lever (83) is almost abutted the main frame (82) when the goods is fixed, with reference to FIG. 7, such that the user is used to use his/her thumb to buckle a stretch (833) and the others to buckle the second stop plate (831) and twist the lever (83) when starting to loose the strap (9). For an easy operation, with reference to FIG. 8, the user is general to change his/her gesture and push the lever (83) to make the second stop plate (831) early partially received in the groove (823) in the lever (82). However, the strain of the strap (9) may pull the lever (83) back to the original position when the user changes his/her gesture during loosing the strap (9).

[0007] The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantages of the conventional strapping device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The main objective of the present invention is to provide an improved strapping device with an anti-reversing design used when preparing to loose the strap.

[0009] To achieve the objective, the strapping device in accordance with the present invention comprises

[0010] Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is perspective view of a strapping device in accordance with the present invention that includes an anti-reversing design used when preparing to loose the strap;

[0012]FIG. 2 is an operational side plan view of the strapping device in FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 3 is an operational side plan view of the strapping device in FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 4 is an operational side plan view of another strapping device in accordance with the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a conventional strapping device in accordance with the prior art;

[0016]FIG. 6 is an operational side plan view of the conventional strapping device in FIG. 5;

[0017]FIG. 7 is an operational side plan view of the strapping device for showing the user's gesture during loosing the strap; and

[0018]FIG. 8 is an operational side plan view of the strapping device for showing the user's gesture during loosing the strap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a strapping device for fastening goods on a truck in accordance with the present invention comprises an axle (3) extending through a main frame (1) and a lever (2) for pivotally mounting the main frame (1) and the lever (2) to each other. The main frame (1) includes two opposite sides each having an ear (101) extending therefrom. The lever (2) includes two opposite sides each having an ear (201) extending therefrom. The ear (101) of the main frame (1) and the ear (201) of the lever (2) are parallel to and align with each other. The axle (3) penetrates through the ears (101, 201) of the main frame (1) and the lever (2). The axle (3) includes two opposite ends each having a ratchet (32) mounted between the ears (101, 201) of the main frame (1) and the lever (2) for driving the axle (3). The ratchet (32) has multiple teeth (321) formed on a periphery thereof. Each tooth (321) has a sliding side (322) formed to allow a first stop plate (11) and a second stop plate (21) being moved to an adjacent tooth (321) of the ratchet (32). The axle (3) has a slot (31) diametrically defined therein and extending through the axle (3). The slot (31) is adapted to allow a strap (4) penetrating the axle (3) and wound on the axle (3).

[0020] The two opposite sides of the main frame (1) each has a first slot (102) defined therein and toward the ear (101) of the main frame (1). A first stop plate (11) laterally extends through the main frame (1) via the first slots (102) and partially received in the first slots (102). The first stop plate (11) is slidably mounted in the main frame (1) and selectively engages to a corresponding one of the teeth (321) of the ratchet (32). A first spring (12) is mounted between the first stop plate (11) and the main frame (1) to provide a restitution force to the first stop plate (11).

[0021] The two opposite sides of the lever (2) each has a second slot (202) defined therein and toward the ear (201) of the lever (2). The second stop plate (21) laterally extends through the lever (2) via the second slots (202) and partially received in the second slots (202). The second stop plate (21) is slidably mounted in the lever (2) and selectively engages to a corresponding one of the teeth (321) of the ratchet (32). A second spring (22) is mounted between the second stop plate (21) and the lever (2) to provide a restitution force to the second stop plate (21).

[0022] The ear (101) of the main frame (1) has a sliding portion (13) formed thereon. The sliding portion (13) includes first end connected to the main frame (1) and a second end having a stopper (16) radially extending from the ear (101) of the main frame (1). The stopper (16) has a protrusion (161) extending therefrom and having one side flush on the second end of the sliding portion (13). A groove (15) is defined in the ear (101) of the main frame (1) opposite to the first slot (102). A raised portion (23) extends from the ear (201) of the lever (2) to backward push the first stop plate (11). The second stop plate (21) is engaged to the ratchets (32) when the second stop plate (21) is moved within the sliding portion (13) and then the raised portion (23) is separated relative to the first stop plate (11).

[0023] For operating the strapping device of the present invention, the second stop plate (21) is engaged to the ratchet (23) when moved within the sliding portion (13) of the main frame (1) and the ratchet (23) is unidirectionally engaged to the first stop plate (11). Consequently, the axle (3) is driven and rotates to reel and tightly pull the strap (4) for fastening goods when the lever (2) in moved with the sliding portion (13) in the ear (101) of the main frame (1).

[0024] When loose the strap (4), with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the second stop plate (21) is backward pulled relative to the ratchet (32) and the lever (2) is twisted to make the second stop plate (21) being moved over the protrusion (161) and abutting a top surface of the stopper (16), in the meanwhile, the first stop plate (11) is engaged to the ratchet (32). Then, the user can change his/her gesture for easily operating the strapping device. The strain of the strap (4) will backward pull the lever (2) when the user stops twisting the lever (2). However, the second stop plate (21) is limited and stopped by the protrusion (161) of the stopper (16) to prevent the lever (2) from being backward moved to the original position due to the strain of the tightened strap (4) when the user stops twisting the lever (2). Consequently, the strapping device in accordance with the present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantages of the conventional strapping device that the lever may be moved to the original position due to the strain of the tightened strap (4) when the user change his/her gesture for easily operating the strapping device.

[0025] With reference to FIG. 3, the operator can backward pull the second stop plate (21) and twist the lever (2) to make the second stop plate (21) being fixed in the groove (15) when the strain of the strap (4) needs to be released. Then the ratchet (32) and the axle (3) are in a free condition so that the strain of the strap (4) is released and the strap (4) is loosen and the operator can easily pull the strap (4) from the strapping device for conveniently unloading goods after the strain of the tightened strap (4) being released.

[0026] As described above, the strapping device in accordance with the present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantages of the conventional strapping device for preventing the lever back to the original position when the user changes his/her gesture during releasing the strain of the tightened strap.

[0027] Further with reference to FIG. 4, the more the strain of the strap (4) becomes, the harder the lever (2) is twisted due to a reacting force of the tightened strap (4). Consequently, the distance between the stopper (16) and the axle (3) can be shortened for an effort-saving operation. The user only needs to backward moved the second stop plate (21) in a short movement, twist the lever (2) and the second stop plate (21) is moved over the protrusion (161) of the stopper (16) when the strap (4) is in a high strain.

[0028] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A strapping device comprising an axle extending through a main frame and a lever for pivotally mounting the main frame and the lever to each other, the axle including two opposite ends each having a ratchet mounted between the main frame and the lever for driving the axle, the ratchet having multiple teeth formed on a periphery thereof, each tooth having a sliding side formed to allow a first stop plate and a second stop plate being moved to an adjacent tooth of the ratchet, the axle having a slot diametrically defined therein and extending through the axle, the slot adapted to allow a strap penetrating the axle and wound on the axle, the first stop plate laterally extends through the main frame and partially received in the main frame, the first stop plate reciprocally slidably mounted in the main frame and selectively engaging to a corresponding one of the teeth of the ratchet, the second stop plate laterally extends through the lever via the second and partially received in the lever, the second stop plate reciprocally slidably mounted in the lever and selectively engaging to a corresponding one of the teeth of the ratchet, the main frame having a sliding portion formed thereon, the sliding portion including a first end connected to the main frame and a second end having a stopper radially extending from the main frame, the stopper having a protrusion extending therefrom and having one side flush on the second end of the sliding portion, the protrusion preventing the lever back to the original position when releasing the strain of a tightened strap, a groove defined in the main frame adjacent to the stopper, a raised portion extending from the lever to backward push the first stop plate, the second stop plate engaged to the ratchets when the second stop plate is moved within the sliding portion and then the raised portion separated relative to the first stop plate. 